"Adam will be in the squad, for sure," Rodgers told a news conference. "He has looked fantastic in training. Of course he is well short of match fitness but in training for the last couple of weeks he has been exceptional."

Jose Enrique is also available for selection after coming back from a knee problem that troubled him for most of last season. Rodgers could be struggling for other defenders, though, with centre-back Daniel Agger (knee) and full-backs Glen Johnson (thigh) and Jon Flanagan (knee) definitely out, while Martin Skrtel and Alberto Moreno face late fitness tests.

Left-back Moreno twisted his ankle during Monday's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, while central defender Skrtel is struggling with a knee injury.

Rodgers said: "We will see closer to the game. Alberto Moreno twisted his ankle, which was unfortunate, but he's been recovering well this week. "Glen Johnson's the one it could be difficult for, with the thigh problem. Martin Skrtel, we'll see over the course of the next 48 hours."

Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to make a final effort to move on fringe players such as Fabio Borini before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Mario Balotelli was Liverpool's ninth signing of a hectic transfer window as Rodgers bids to shape a squad ready to compete in the Champions League this season. But the manager is now more focused on ensuring those players further down the Anfield first-team pecking order get the chance to find regular games elsewhere.

Left-back Jack Robinson was sold to Queens Park Rangers on Thursday, while winger Jordon Ibe joined Championship side Derby on a season's loan on Friday. Liverpool were prepared to allow Kolo Toure to leave for Turkish club Trabzonspor earlier this month, but the centre-back chose to stay, even though he knows that will mean reduced first-team opportunities.

Sources have told ESPN that Liverpool are also trying to resolve the future of striker Fabio Borini, who turned down a permanent move to Sunderland in July after the two clubs had agreed a £14 million fee.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said last weekend that he still hoped to sign Borini, with whom AC Milan have also been linked in recent days. Rodgers will not ship out any contracted player against their will - but has warned that those on the fringes who stay must expect to spend a lot of time on the sidelines over the next few months.

"There will probably be more movement out than coming in, I would say," Rodgers said. "There are still offers for players here to go, and every player here knows their situation.

"So if they're here after that deadline on Monday, then they've decided to stay, but their game time will be very limited. But there are not many more to come in, if any."